Sweetwaters- Aberdares

Sweetwaters Tented Camp lies in the heart of 24,000-acre Sweetwaters Game Reserve, with magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. The 30 luxury tents overlook the waterhole, floodlit by night, providing excellent and secluded rarely seen game viewing. This game sanctuary is the closest reserve to Nairobi (2.5 hours drive) home to all the big five game, and has the highest ratio of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. At Sweetwaters, there is plenty to do.

Game drives at Sweetwaters are indeed a pleasure. Game viewing may also take the form of game walks accompanied by our Resident Naturalist, and game rides on horseback. Camel riding, night game drives and "bush" lunches or dinners are a delight. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Information Centre, Morani the tame black rhino and the Visitor's Information Centre are most informative and entertaining and should all be visited while in the Game Reserve.

ACCOMMODATION s

There are 30 luxury en-suite tents - 8 doubles, 14 twins and 8 triples. 10 of the tents are raised on a platform, 20 on the ground floor. 10 extra beds can be made available. 4 baby cots and 2 high chairs can be made available on request.

25 of the tents face a large waterhole, and beyond, the magnificent views of Mt Kenya. The second row of tents is erected on raised wooden platforms. All tents are covered by a thatch roof and are cool even during the hottest day. Each spacious tent has a verandah with two camp chairs and a table, both overhead and bedside lights, a dressing table and cupboard with hangars and a suitcase rack, an umbrella, a thermos flask filled daily with drinking water and four glasses, windows with mosquito proofing gauze and flaps, zip-up tents, insecticides and air fresheners, a flashlight. Each bathroom has a shower stall, flush toilets, washbasin, shampoo, body lotion, bath and shower gel, and bathrobes; Freshly laundered towels; Hot and cold running water; No electrical outlets in tents.

Room service offers tea/coffee with wake-up calls. This service is not a common feature at Sweetwaters but meals and beverages can be served in tents on request

RHINO RESTAURANT
Set in the main building, the Rhino Restaurant's windows let in a lot of natural light and a delightful breeze in this warm climate. The restaurant has a view of the waterhole. There is a cosmopolitan menu, a combination of European, African and Asian dishes, made from an abundance of fresh Kenyan produce. Both breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a 5-course Table D'h?te, with a choice of main courses. The Rhino Restaurant is open for breakfast from 0900 to 1000 hours, lunch from 1230 to 1430 hours, dinner from 1930 to 2130 hours and for Children's early dinner (on request) from 1830 to 1930 hours. Seating capacity is 80 people.

KHASHOGGI BAR AND LOUNGE
Also located in the main building, the Khashoggi Bar is a comfortable lounge which extends into 3 sections: 2 of these have a shared fireplace lit from 1700 to 2300 hours, while the third is an annex to the rhino Restaurant. This annex has a small verandah, which leads out into the Waterhole Bar, and is decorated in warm colours with cushions and deep stuffed sofas and rugs. Afternoon tea, liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, wines, spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee are served here. The Khashoggi Bar and Lounge is open from 1000 to 2300 hours, and for afternoon tea from 1600 to 1730 hours. Seating capacity is 40 people.

WATERHOLE BAR
Elevated some 20 feet off the ground, this Bar overlooks the waterhole giving you a superb view of the wildlife visiting to quench their thirst. The Waterhole Bar is an ideal venue for small cocktail parties or dinner parties. Served here are liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, wines, spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee. The Waterhole Bar is open from 1000 to 2300 hours, and seating capacity is 30 people, or 20 people for Cocktail parties, and 12 people for private dinner parties.

SWIMMING POOL BAR
Located by the swimming pool, the bar is really a verandah with a generous barbeque pit. The area around the swimming pool is ideal for private cocktail parties, dinners and barbeques. Barbeque dinners are served on request, and curry lunches on Sundays, weather permitting. This pool bar serves liqueurs, beers, soft drinks, wines, spirits, cocktails, tea and coffee. The Swimming Pool Bar is open from 1000 to 2300 hours, and seating capacity is unlimited.

SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool is manned by an attendant from 0600 hours to 1800 hours. The wooden trellis with bougainvillea, and Golden Shower creepers allow dappled sunlight through on some spots, a relief from the sometimes scorching sun. Sun-beds and mattresses are available. Towels are provided. There are men's and ladies' changing rooms, each with showers. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

VIDEOS
Wildlife movies are screened in the Morani Room on guests' request.

BIRD WALKS
Our bird specialist escorts you through the surrounds of Sweetwaters Tented Camp, pointing out many of the resident species, which include Speke's Weaver, brown parrot, black cuckoo shrike and green hoopoe.

CAROL
Carol is a tame warthog who lives in an enclosure near Morani with her three piglets.

MORANI AND THE VISITOR'S CENTRE
Morani rates special mention. Morani is a tame black rhino (a rare phenomenon) born in 1974. He was brought to the ranch after his mother was killed by poachers, and ever since is resident in his own sub-sanctuary 8 km away from Sweetwaters Tented Camp. A visit to Morani is an especially wonderful treat for children. At the entrance to Morani's Boma is the new Visitor's Centre which is aimed at teaching guests about the Game Reserve. A definite must!

CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE
A 200-acre Chimpanzee sanctuary has been set up at Sweetwaters Game Reserve. A visit to this Sanctuary and the 30-minute boat ride (subject to fine weather) on the river among the chimps attracts no extra charge. The aim of the project, initiated by Lonrho East Africa, Kenya Wildlife Services and the Jane Goodall Institute, is to set up a colony where chimps can be introduced, rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves in an area similar to their natural living conditions. Priority is given to orphaned and abused chimps. The Sanctuary currently has 24 chimps, including two babies born in the Sanctuary.

CAMEL RIDES
Seeing wildlife within the sanctuary, perched atop camels is a unique experience. Sweetwaters Tented Camp has three camels each carrying two people, and a guide always accompanies guests. The camel safari lasts for 1 hour, and can be taken at any time, subject to availability, from 0900 to 1700 hours.

DAY GAME DRIVES
On offer are 2-3 hours morning game drives, starting at 0630 hours or 2-3 hour afternoon game drives, starting at 1600 hours. Seat-in-car game drives are available (i.e., charges are made per person, rather than per vehicle). Sweetwaters Tented Camp has three available vehicles which can also be booked for exclusive use. Each vehicle capacity is 7 seats, with 5 window seats. Full-day game drives with a picnic lunch start at 0900 hours and finish off at 1600 hours, in which case the vehicles have to be booked for exclusive use.

NIGHT GAME DRIVES
This is a special drive as night game drives are not permitted in National Parks and Reserves in Kenya. Generally all sorts of nocturnal animals such as aardvark, porcupine, silver-backed hyena, and leopard can be seen. You can either go on the early drive (1900 - 2100 hours) or after dinner (2100 - 2200 hours). Seat-in-car night game drives are available (i.e., charges are made per person, rather than per vehicle). The vehicles can also be booked for exclusive use. The vehicles' capacity is 6 seats.

WALKING safaris
Accompanied by a naturalist/ armed guide, this is a very detailed exposure to the natural habitat, where vegetation, bird, insect and game species will be pointed out to you. Game walks are billed on an hourly basis. Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted to participate.

The Ereri multi-cultural Manyatta
Located one kilometre outside the Serat Gate on the north border of Sweetwaters Game Reserve, this Multi-cultural Manyatta (village) is the perfect introduction to the Tribes of Kenya. Watch demonstrations, traditional dancing, observe building techniques, buy jewellery and other souvenirs. You can also watch traditional cattle blood letting (prior arrangement needed) Open 10.00 - 12.00 daily.

Rhino patrols
Venture on foot into the Sweetwaters Game Reserve to find and monitor black rhinos. Experience the excitement of being in the bush with nothing but nature between you and these magnificent beasts. Join a rhino patrol with our experienced armed rangers to guide you."

Wild dogs (LYCAON PICTUS) return to Sweetwaters after an absence of 30 years A pack of between 12-14 wild dog has recently been sighted on a number of occasions within the Sweetwaters Game Reserve in Laikipia. This pack currently appears to be moving between the neighbouring Ol Pejeta Ranch and the Sweetwaters game reserve, having originated from nothern Laikipia. This particular group is well known to the Laikipia Predator Project which is based on Mpala ranch to the north.

Wild dog are one of the rarest carnivores in Africa, having disappeared from large parts of their former ranges. Indeed, this species was all but eliminated from Laikipia 30 years ago, persecuted by pastoralists and farmers alike. Their return demonstrates how Laikipia has begun to emerge as one of Kenya's foremost conservation areas. Laikipia now boasts a thriving wildlife tourism industry and a density of wildlife second only to the Mara area of southern Kenya."
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RATES:
Special Discounted Mid-Season Rates for 01 November to 22 December 2009
Rates are based on Fullboard ACCOMMODATION
Rates DO NOT include SANCTUARY FEES
Easter & Christmas(24-26th, 31st December & 01 January) Supplements Applicable
CHILDREN POLICY:
Children under 2 years sharing with adult(s) are accommodated on a complimentary basis.
Children 2-12 years sharing with adult(s) pay 50% of adult rate
If in own room, 75% of the adult rate is charged
Young adults (13-17 years) are charged 75% of adult rate.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation is subject to a fee charged for bookings already reserved. Conditions and cancellation penalties apply.
NB: Prices and availability are subject to revision without prior notice owing to currency, tax, levy and seasonal fluctuations
We also offer safari, car rentals and flight bookings which we can organise for you with your hotel/lodge enquiry www.eyesonnatureexpeditions.com
 

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